Tag Archive | Communications Contest

APW Typerider November 2025

Greetings and Happy Thanksgiving!

I am delighted to be a part of a professional writing organization with members who are so giving of their time, knowledge, and talent. Thank you!

Once you renew your membership, we have two new potential opportunities for you to shine in 2026.

Reginald Manning is the artist behind APW’s logo when we were Arizona Press Women. He was an American artist and illustrator, best known for his editorial cartoons. The Arizona Republic hired Manning as a photographer and artist in 1926. “Hats” won him the Pulitzer Prize for Editorial Cartooning in 1951. (Thanks to Cheryl Kohout for his name.)

May your words flow,

Carol Baxter, APW President

 

 

 

 

Email

P.S. The 2026 White Mountain Writers Conference date is July 31 (not the 3rd).

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Click on the link for the full President’s newsletter to read more including

  • Opportunities to sell your books at 2 book festivals
  • Registration opens for the Payson Book Festival
  • 11/22 Book Club selection
  • White Mountain chapter- open mic, contest, book festival and writers conference
  • NFPW Communications Contest info

 

APW Typerider July 2025

National Federation of Press Women
2025 Professional Communications Contest WINNERS

Jody Sharpe’s website

Chrisann’s website

Day Tripping Class

Congratulations to the winners!

Happy writing,

 

 

 

 

 

Carol Baxter, APW President

Email

*****************************************************************************

CHAPTER NEWS

Rim Country

Payson Book Festival

Central

BOOK CLUB CALL FOR AUTHORS

The APW book group was established to provide an opportunity for members to read, discuss, and post reviews of one another’s books. We generally meet via Zoom on the fourth Saturday of every month at 10 am, September through June. It’s a great way to support our journeys as authors and get to know each other.

Some people attend regularly, others not so much, or only a few times, and that’s okay. We are currently looking for APW members who would like to join our group, and potentially present their book for our reviews.

If interested, please contact Karen Shiffman Lateiner, or call 973-997-7204.

White Mountain

White Mountain Festival of Books

2025 NFPW Conference

Registration is now open for the 2025 NFPW Conference, hosted by Colorado Press Women Sept. 11–13 at the Denver Marriott West hotel in Golden, Colorado.

APW Typerider Newsletter – December, 2024

A Joyful December to all!

We are wordsmiths, tapping out sentences not quite as fast as our brain comes up with them, as we sit alone in a room with the door closed (or maybe out somewhere, yet encased in an invisible creative bubble).

I had forgotten the synergy created in a room full of people who speak the same language, not English but AUTHOR. It’s how I felt at the World Fantasy Convention and my first NFPW conference, both nearly 20 years ago, long enough to forget. Consider joining me at our APW Conference on May 17th (in the Phoenix area).

I spent the second week in November in Las Vegas drinking from a firehose of information at a gathering of 1,100 independent authors. I am still trying to wrap my brain around the notes I took, but it is clear that human creativity and AI are here to stay. Harper Collins just made an AI training deal with Microsoft (there are many articles, here is one).

We have come a long way from writing with a piece of charcoal on a flat piece of tree bark.

Meanwhile this month, there are

  • gatherings with friends to attend (RSVP to the Rim Country for our holiday party),
  • deadlines to meet,
  • APW memberships to renew,
  • preparation for NFPW contest entries,

and for me, working on a novel.

May your keys never stick, and your pens never run out of ink,

To see the newsletter and the coming events, click here.

NOTE: If you join NFPW you also pay an extra $15 for your APW membership. If you join APW as a state-only, the dues are $30/year.

APW Rim Country Chapter Hybrid meeting 11/20/24

Connie Cockrell is inviting you to a hybrid meeting of Rim Country Chapter. Meet at Majestic Rim Retirement Living in the chapel off of the main lobby located at 310 E. Tyler Pkwy, Payson or join on Zoom. All are welcome.

Topic: Connie Cockrell – discussion of the newly opened NFPW 2025 Communications Contest and our individual writing plans for 2025.
Date: Wednesday, November 20, 2024
Time: 01:00 PM Arizona
Where: Majestic Rim Retirement Living in the chapel off of the main lobby located at 310 E. Tyler Pkwy, Payson

Or, Join on Zoom
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82729963849?pwd=8QeUTCezK6eE0W3pWifsk29yAbeeKq.1

Meeting ID: 827 2996 3849
Passcode: 821777
Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kcTKISeOnh

We’re also announcing our Chapter Christmas luncheon at Crosswinds restaurant from 11:30 to 1pm. 800 W. Airport Rd, Payson. All are welcome.

2025 NFPW Communications Contest now open!

Professional Communications Contest accepting entries!

The contest is open to writers, authors, bloggers, copy editors, page designers, public affairs professionals, photographers, publishers and others in the communications field.

Communicators of all ages are invited to enter. The professional contest includes categories for work appearing in college media and for college media advisors.

All entries must be published in 2024.

The early deadline to submit entries – and avoid a one-time additional fee of $25 – is Jan. 29, 2025. The final deadline for books is Feb. 5, 2025, and the final deadline for all other entries is Feb. 19, 2025.

The contest is sponsored by NFPW affiliates. If you live in a state without an affiliate hosting a contest, you are eligible to enter the At-Large contest.

First-place-winning entries in the affiliate and at-large contests are eligible to advance to the national competition. To enter the national contest, the entrants must be NFPW members, or must join by March 15, 2024.

National winners will be notified in June. Contest awards will be presented during a banquet on Sept. 13, 2025, as part of the 2025 NFPW Conference in Golden, Colorado.

Contest categories and rules have been reviewed and updated for the 2025 competition. Look for minor changes throughout and for new opportunities to enter in several categories, including Books, Short Stories and Verse, Photography, Radio/Television and Collegiate/Education. Visit https://www.nfpw.org/professional-contest for more details.

NFPW Communications Contest winners!

Congratulations to the winners from APW who won or placed in the NFPW Communications Contest! Each person had to win a first in their category in the At-Large contest before going onto the national contest. Again this year, APW had a great showing!
Carol Jean Baxter, At-Large – Arizona
· Honorable Mention — 52 – Brochure > Nonprofit, government or educational for “Authors & Artists Festival 2023 Brochure”
Bobbie Bennett, At-Large – Arizona
· 2nd Place — Publications Regularly Written by Entrant > Newsletter/other publication, nonprofit, government or educational for “Beaver Valley Estates Bulletins”
Nancy Marshall, At-Large – Arizona
· 1st Place — Writing > Fiction for Adult Readers > Novels for “A DRY HATE: Power Versus The People”
Janelle Molony, At-Large – Arizona
· 1st Place — Book Edited by Entrant for “The 1864 Diary of Mrs. Sarah Jane Rousseau”
Jody Sharpe, At-Large – Arizona
· Honorable Mention — Writing > Fiction for Adult Readers > Novellas for “Summer of Angels”
Jessica Votipka, At-Large – Arizona
· Honorable Mention — Specialty Articles > Social issues for “Tucson Unified offering its families emergency housing”
· 2nd Place — News Story > Print-based newspaper for “Gate at Tucson school needed repair 9 days before it fell, killing child”
· 2nd Place — Specialty Articles > Science or technology for “Students make prosthetic legs for developing countries”
APW winners (Not pictured Janelle Molony and Jessica Votipka)

 

President’s Page – January 2004

I’m excited for this new year in the Arizona Professional Writers organization.

Our annual conference planning has begun. Mark your calendars. It’s going to be May 4th, which prompted us, obviously, to make the theme: May the 4th be with You. We had to. Really. We’re finalizing the location which allows us to set the price per ticket. We’ll keep you posted on that.

The conference also means it’s election time for the APW. We have some tentative candidates. For President – Carol Baxter, Nancy Marshall is volunteering for VP. We’re still looking for a candidate for Secretary. Our treasurer, Ruthann Hogue is staying on. Marie Fasano likes being our Membership Director but if you love reaching out to people, you can talk to Marie and see if the position might be a fit for you. Bobbie Bennett has graciously volunteered to stay on as our Conference planner.

The NFPW Communications contest is close to closing. Look over your published work for 2023 and enter the contest right away. There are so many categories, I’m sure you’ll find one that’s just right for you. You can check out the contest rules and enter the contest at https://www.nfpw.org/professional-contest, You do not need to be a member to enter. However, if you win, they do encourage you to become a member.

Also speaking of NFPW, their annual conference for 2024 will be in St. Louis. I attended the 2023 event and had a great time and learned so much! Just ask Jody Sharpe. She attended the last day and took the opportunity to attend the awards dinner. What a great time. You can look at the details for 2024 at https://www.nfpw.org/2024-conference-st-louis. We’d love to have more of our Arizona people attend as well.

My calendar has February 4th, 10am, as our next APW State Officer’s meeting. The meeting is open to all members, and it’s being held via Zoom. Contact me if you’d like to attend.

Speaking of meetings, the Rim Country chapter has started holding in-person meetings again. We are back at Majestic Rim Living, 1pm on the 3rd Wednesdays of the month, in their chapel meeting space. The next meeting is February 21st and I’ll be talking about how to write a bio. This piece of writing is used in so many different applications that you really need to have a good one. We’ll talk about what that means and do some practice writing one.

I will also be the featured author at the February 24th, 10am APW Book Group. I’ll be talking about my Young Adult, Post Apocalyptic, SciFi book First Encounter. If you’d like to join the conversation, contact Karen Lateiner, kslateiner@gmail.com, to get on the Zoom link list. One more benefit of being an APW member.

Take a look at our facebook page for APW. This is a great place to announce your newest book, magazine article, or speaking engagement. This is just one of the many perks you, as an APW member have, so take advantage! https://www.facebook.com/groups/ArizonaPressWomen

Almost the best for last, we have a new chapter forming in the Show Low area. The organizer is Kathleen Osborne. She’s a small publisher and author and has several people in the White Mountains area who want to join the group. Kathleen has been a Payson Book Festival author for quite some time. Welcome to her and all of her new group.

And, it’s membership renewal time. If you have already renewed, thank you! If you’ve renewed via the National Federation of Press Women, let us know to look for your renewal there. If you still need to renew, click on the “About” tab and then “Join.” Thank you everyone for your continued support of this historic organization.

That’s it for now. Everyone stay warm and hope to see you at the next meeting!

NFPW Communication Contest deadline 2/7

 

Contest Entries Due at Noon on Wednesday, February 7

It’s deadline time for NFPW’s annual communications contests!

  • All entries are due at noon (in your time zone) on Feb. 7, 2024.
  • NFPW’s High School Communications Contest entries are due at noon (in your time zone) on Feb. 7, 2024.

Other contest details: 

  • Contest information link: https://www.nfpw.org/professional-contest
  • First-place winners from the state-level and at-large contests advance to the national level of judging. Entrants must be members of the National Federation of Press Women to compete at the national level and may join NFPW after learning of their winning status if their affiliate does not require membership to enter the state-level contest.
  • All work must have been published or broadcast between Jan. 1, 2023, and Dec. 31, 2023, to be eligible for entry.
  • The early deadline has passed, so expect to pay a $25 processing fee (in addition to regular entry fees) on your first professional contest entry.

Visit the Categories and Requirements page on our contest site (nfpw.org) for a complete list of categories and entry guidelines. Each category and subcategory has specific guidelines and requirements.

We enter the At-Large Contest!

Questions?

Questions relating to professional contest entries and categories should be directed to Helen Plotkin, NFPW Professional Contest Director, at haplotkin@outlook.com

Questions relating to contest entries and categories in the high school contest should be directed to Teri Ehresman, NFPW High School Contest Director, at islandpark723@gmail.com

Questions relating to issues submitting the entries and issues with the online contest should be directed to Savannah Callan at contest@nfpw.org.

 

President’s letter – end of 2023

Connie Cockrell

Has 2023 been as much of a whirlwind for you as it has been for me? Whew! Makes my head spin.

November is what I call “gratitude” month. Every day I think about one thing I’m thankful for. It could be a rainy day, a meal out with friends, my husband, but whatever it is, I know individually and collectively, those little things are what make my life rich. So, I’m wishing you all a wonderful holiday season full of gratitude for all of the things that make your life full and complete.

For December, all the chapters are planning holiday luncheons instead of regular meetings. I know the time to just chat is as important as our meetings full of useful and delightful information. Enjoy!

We continue to call for volunteers. Elections are coming up in May at our annual conference. Would you like to take a more active role in the state organization? In addition, the Payson Book Festival committee needs a new Silent Auction manager and a person to head up Sponsorships. New people bring fresh, new ideas and we want to keep our organizations both active and relevant. Contact me at connie.cockrell@gmail.com to volunteer.

The NFPW Communications contest has just begun. Look over your published work for 2023 and enter the contest. There are so many categories, I’m sure you’ll find one that’s just right for you. You can check out the contest rules and enter the contest at https://www.nfpw.org/professional-contest, You do not need to be a member to enter. However, if you win, they do encourage you to become a member.

Also, speaking of NFPW, their annual conference for 2024 will be in St. Louis. I attended the 2023 event and had a great time and learned so much! Just ask Jody Sharpe. She attended the last day and took the opportunity to attend the awards dinner. What a great time. You can look at the details for 2024 at https://www.nfpw.org/2024-conference-st-louis. I’ll be going again and would love to have some of our Arizona people attend as well.

My calendar has January 6th, 10 am, as our next APW State Officer’s board meeting. The meeting is open to all members, and it’s being held via Zoom. Contact me if you’d like to attend.

Speaking of meetings, the Rim Country chapter will begin holding in-person meetings again. I wasn’t able to find a location for October, but we do have a temporary meeting place for November. Mark your calendars for November 15th, at 1pm at the library. I’ve arranged for Gail Kittleson to come and talk about how she does a new book launch. She’ll be bringing her newest book, in the middle of her book launch, for us to look at and buy. After that, we’ll go back to Majestic Rim Living starting January 17th, 1 pm, in their chapel meeting space.

Take a look at our Facebook page for APW. This is a great place to announce your newest book, magazine article, or speaking engagement. This is just one of the many perks you, as an APW member have, so take advantage! https://www.facebook.com/groups/ArizonaPressWomen

We are also happy to announce our Holiday Bazaar at our website:  https://arizonaprofessionalwriters.org/holiday-bazaar-2023/. This is a terrific perk of being a member. It’s not too late to get your book listed. Send Jaimie Bruzenak a link to the book you want to list along with a jpeg of the front cover and your website link, and she’ll post it for you. Books make great presents!

And it’s membership renewal time. If you have already renewed, thank you! If you’ve renewed via the National Federation of Press Women, let us know to look for your renewal there. If you still need to renew, go to https://arizonaprofessionalwriters.org/about/join-2/ for the form. State-only membership is $30. Thank you everyone for your continued support of this historic organization.

That’s it for 2023. Everyone stay safe, enjoy the upcoming holidays, and hope to see you at the next meeting!

Connie Cockrell
APW President

NFPW Communications Contest now open

The annual National Federation of Press Women’s communications contest has officially opened!
 
The contest is open to writers, authors, copy editors, public affairs professionals, photographers, publishers or others in the communications field.
 
Entries must be published in 2022 and entries are open to writers of all ages.
 
The early deadline to submit entries – and avoid a one-time additional fee of $25 – is Jan. 18, 2023. The final deadline for books is Feb. 1, 2023 and the final deadline for all other entries is Feb. 8, 2023.
 
The contest is sponsored by NFPW affiliates and people living in states without an affiliate hosting a contest are eligible to enter the NFPW at-large contest. (APW members enter in the at-large contest.)
 
First place winning entries in the affiliate and at-large contests are eligible to advance to the national competition. To enter the national contest, the entrants must be NFPW members, or must join by March 15, 2023.
 
National winners will be notified in late April and the results announced during an awards dinner on June 24, 2023, in Cincinnati, Ohio.